No profit can be reaped from the French stance on the war in Iraq. That was the message from Dassault chairman and chief executive Charles Edelstenne.
Addressing the issue of US-Franco relations on the opening day of the show, he said there was no evidence that Dassault has missed out on sales as a result of the political hostility between France and US, either in the civil or defence sectors.
As far as defence procurement is concerned, he says: "The war in Iraq does not seem to have significantly modified the general context. However the renewed determination of the US to assert its power may change the hand dealt in certain markets which are more sensitive to politics.
"My belief today is that recent events don't change the game worldwide. There will always be those who want to buy American - and those that will come to the opposite conclusion. There will always be countries who cannot buy from the US but which France wants to supply. But that was the same before the Iraq war
"Our sales are dropping but there is no evidence that this has been for political reasons. The downturn is driven by economic factors. The political crisis came at the same time as the market crisis. Perhaps you call that a lucky strike."
Referring to the civil sector, he admits there may be an emotional anti-French response in the US but in the spirit of d«tente he adds: "The relationship between the two countries has been that of allies for over two centuries.
"There have been difficulties before but I have seen in the past couple of days a clear desire on both sides to re-establish normal friendly relations."
Source: Flight Daily News